Jcc Anticipates Settling Bond Amount Monday

James City County supervisors face the $56 million question on Monday.

That's the day the board, after months of study, expects to nail down a dollar amount for an upcoming bond referendum. It won't be an easy decision.

The three agencies requesting money - schools, the recreation department and the library - have all made compelling cases for full funding, but few expect them to get all the money they've asked for. More likely, the board will settle on an amount between the $56 million requested by the agencies and the $51 million recommended by county staff members.

Friday, several county supervisors said they still weren't sure of the exact numbers they'll approve Monday.

"We are all talking on the telephone," said Board Chairman Judy Knudson. "I mean we're up and down and in and out and back and forth. We're just not sure."

"I honestly don't know," agreed colleague Perry DePue. "It's supposed to be sunny and in the 70s this weekend, and I'm going to be inside studying numbers."

The schools have requested about $40.6 million to pay for a new high school, renovations to Lafayette High School and renovations and expansion at Norge Elementary. The rec department wants $10 million to expand the existing rec center and begin developing a district park and the library wants about $6 million to build a branch library in the Norge area.

"All three agencies are very well justified," said Supervisor Jack Edwards. "The problem is simply how much money do we think we can borrow."

The three requests will appear as separate questions on a March 1 ballot. The impact the referendum will have on county finances can't be determined until a final figure is set, but Finance Manager John McDonald is expected to present supervisors with one scenario - based on staff recommendations -Monday night.

As of Friday afternoon, the staff was still working on those numbers, McDonald said.

Setting recommended figures for the March 1 referendum has been particularly sensitive for county staff members. Officials reviewing each request have been reluctant to question costs publicly for fear it might offend the agencies seeking money.

"It's difficult for the staff in this case to make public suggestions, because it might be seen as criticism," of another department, said Edwards. "To the extent that our staff gets involved in the specifics of each proposal, we're likely to generate more heat than light."